St. Benedict's College, Colombo
St. Benedict's College (Sinhala: සාන්ත බෙනඩික් විදුහල, Tamil: புனித ஆசீர்வாதப்பர் கல்லூரி) is a Catholic school located in Kotahena area of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This school was founded in 1838 at Wolfendhal (Colombo 13 East) by then Diocese of Ceylon as Kottanchina Seminary for 27 years, followed by Benedictine Monks (the name St.Benedicts College initiated and established) for 2 years and thereafter by De La Salle Brothers from 1868. The school is considered as one of the prominent leading school in Sri Lanka and also the oldest Catholic schools in the island, with a history of over 180 years.
| St. Benedict's College | |
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| Location | |
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| Coordinates | 6°56′55.19″N 79°51′52.34″E |
| Information | |
| Type | Roman Catholic School |
| Motto | Religio, Mores, Cultura (Religion, Morals, Culture) |
| Established | 1865 (founded in 1838 as Kottanchina Seminary) |
| Director | Rev. Bro. Pubudu Rajapakshe FSC |
| Staff | 200+ |
| Grades | 1 to 13 Local Syllabus |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 6 to 19 |
| Number of pupils | 2400 |
| Colour(s) | Green & White |
| Website | stbenedictscollege |
Pre History
The Archdiocese of Ceylon founded this Institution in 1839 as Kottanchina Seminary, 182 years ago, on 15 May 1839, the first Catholic English School in Sri Lanka, established as Kottanchina Catholic Seminary now known as St.Benedict's College. For some reason, St.Benedict's College is considering its history only since 1865 leaving out 26 years of pre Benedictine era though this history is pretty much part of college and documented in school and Archdiocese records, too. Many senior Benedictine historians and writers have raised this in the past. Even on the Official College Souvenirs and on published books. Time to take note of this omission, mistakenly or purposely done. Perhaps, school may have marked its beginning under the name of St. Benedict's as its inauguration but still a school existed since 1839 and officially staff and students of former school was transferred to the new school at the time of opening school at the new premise.
History
St. Benedict's College the oldest Roman Catholic school in Sri Lanka, was inaugurated in 1865 by the Benedictine Monks. The school consisted of few classrooms and a small staff at first. In 1868, the De La Salle Brothers took over the administration of the college. Since then the school has been headed by many Brothers who belonged to the La Sallian Community.
The past Directors of the College include Bro. Austin Anthony, Bro. Glastian Oliver, Bro. Alban Patrick, Bro. Athanace Charles, Bro. Osmund Gregory, Bro.Alexander Cyrilus, Bro. Granville Perera and Bro. Anselm Calixtus.
Present College
Presently the college is headed by Rev.Bro. Pubudu Rajapakshe FSC. The College provides education to around 2400 students with a staff of around 200+ teachers. Students are enrolled from Grade 1 to Grade 13 with the local syllabus in English Sinhala and Tamil mediums. The college maintains a high conduct of Academic and Co Corucular Activities that encourage students to fulfill their careers in the apt way.
The College section consists of a Main Hall, Rev.Bro.James, Rev.Bro.Alexander and Rev.Bro.Luke Buildings, a Library, 2 Computer Laboratories, Lecture Hall, Physics, Biology and Chemistry Laboratories, 3 Music & Arts rooms and a Language Center.
The college also provides other facilities.
The College
The premises which accommodate grades six to thirteen (locally referred to as "the college") is situated adjacent to St. Lucia's Cathedral which serves as a landmark for the area. The Clock Tower building, Main Building, Rev. Bro. Luke Memorial Building, Rev. Bro. Alexander Memorial Building, Rev. Bro James Memorial Building, Rev. Bro Granville Perera Aquatic Centre and the Main Hall Building are the buildings that complete the College section. Academic facilities are provided throughout the college for various groups of students in combination with co-curricular and extra-curricular facilities to enhance the studentship lives.
The College staff consists of 200 individuals. Around 2800 students currently study at the college.
The College Prefects' Board consists of 50 students who are selected on their all-round performances and contributions towards the college. The Prefects make themselves available for many College activities such as special events, college occasions, general assemblies and day-to-day discipline.
The Primary
The Primary is situated apart from the College section headed by Rev.Bro.Praveen Vaaz FSC. The 60-member-strong staff provide education to around 1000 students in fields of academy, sports arts and music.
The Primary section consists of two main buildings, with classroom facilities of up to 40 classes, a library and a language unit. The Primary also has a Western band, Eastern band, Choir and Scout Troop on its own. The Primary Prefects board consists of 20 Prefects who attend all school occasions and keep the discipline of the young ones intact.
The St. Benedict's College Primary is the first such Primary section of a school in the country to have its own basketball court. It also has facilities for Table Tennis in addition to the main sports of cricket, tennis and swimming.
Education
Around 2400 students gain education in 13 Grades under a qualified, talented and experienced Staff unit.
The Primary section, which is located apart from the college, educates those that enter the school during the initial years. Around 1000 pupils are handled by a staff of 60 teachers. The Primary section consists of classrooms, Library, Computer Laboratory, Music Hall and an Arts room. In addition the Primary students are given opportunities in taking part in Cub-Scouting, cadetting,Sports such as Cricket, Basketball and Swimming and Western and Eastern bands.
The College Section consists of Grades 6-13. There are also 2 Computer Laboratories, a Library, Music, Dancing and Arts rooms, Physics, Biology and Chemistry Laboratories and a Lecture Hall.
Sports
St. Benedict's College, since its inception in 1865, has been in the forefront of sport in the Island, especially in Soccer, Basketball and Hockey, Produced Nationals for All Three Games, The school has been pioneers and front-runners of many sporting activities throughout the decades. The College produced the All-Island Champion Cricket team in 1964/65, was the first ever school to introduce Rugby to the Schooling sector in the whole country, became All-Island Athletic Champions in 2008, All-Island Football Champions in 2006, 2007 and 2008, All-Island Basketball Champions in 2006 & 2009 and All-Island Hockey Champions in 2007.
The College owns a Gymnasium. There's also a Sports-Hostel. The College grounds is situated at Bloemendhal Road, which consists of cricket pitches and turf, Rugby posts, football goals and Hockey goals. It also provides facilities for various Athletic disciplines.
Within the College premises, the college has two basketball courts, of which one could be used for night games, a gymnasium for gymnastics and acrobatics training and a state-of-the-art swimming pool with viewing facilities. The swimming pool was constructed in 2010.
Old Boys
The Old Boys of St. Benedict's College play a huge role in the affairs and ventures of the college since 1904. All the past pupils who have passed through the gates of the school have always wanted to "give back" to their Alma Mater. The Loyal Old Bens have been instrumental in all the projects, functions and special events of the college, by participating in them and sharing their experiences and thoughts.
See also
- Category:Alumni of St. Benedict's College, Colombo